A concert? In this economy? - Today, Explained Recap
Podcast: Today, Explained
Published: 2026-02-20
Duration: 26 minutes
Guests: Taylor Mims, Robert Levine
Summary
Concert ticket prices have skyrocketed post-pandemic due to increased demand and additional costs, leading to artists and fans navigating a challenging market. Some artists are taking a stand against high resale prices, but the issue remains complex and multifaceted.
What Happened
Concert ticket prices have reached staggering heights, with some artists like Harry Styles charging up to $1,000 for a ticket. This episode explores the reasons behind these soaring costs, including the impact of the pandemic on the concert industry. Many crew members and staff left the industry during the pandemic, leading to increased costs for touring due to higher wages and expenses.
The primary culprits for high ticket prices are dynamic pricing models used by platforms like Ticketmaster and the secondary market where resellers significantly markup tickets. Artists and their agents set the initial ticket prices, but resellers often inflate them further, leading fans to pay exorbitant amounts.
Artists like Olivia Dean are challenging these practices by advocating for price caps on resale tickets to make concerts more accessible to fans. Despite these efforts, resale markets remain legal and pervasive, making it difficult to control prices effectively.
Some states are introducing legislation to cap resale prices, with Maine being the first to pass such a law. These caps aim to reduce the profitability of reselling tickets, potentially curbing the issue of price gouging.
Residencies and extended stays at single venues, like Harry Styles' 30-night residency in New York, are becoming more common as a way to reduce travel costs and maximize profits. This model allows artists to save on logistics while still drawing large crowds.
The shift towards more concentrated shows in major cities aligns with the post-pandemic economic landscape, where fans are eager to spend on live experiences. The episode suggests that despite economic challenges, the demand for concert experiences continues to thrive.
Key Insights
- Concert ticket prices have skyrocketed, with Harry Styles' tickets reaching up to $1,000, partly due to the pandemic driving crew members out of the industry and inflating wages for those who remain.
- Dynamic pricing models and resellers on platforms like Ticketmaster are the main drivers behind exorbitant concert ticket prices, as they allow for significant markups beyond the initial artist-set prices.
- Olivia Dean is pushing back against inflated concert ticket prices by advocating for resale price caps, but the legality and prevalence of resale markets make controlling prices a complex challenge.
- Maine is leading the charge in reducing ticket price gouging by passing legislation to cap resale prices, aiming to diminish the reselling profitability that fuels the secondary market.
Key Questions Answered
Why are Harry Styles concert tickets so expensive on Today, Explained?
The episode explains that dynamic pricing models and the secondary ticket market have led to tickets costing up to $1,000. Artists set initial prices, but resellers significantly inflate them, making concerts less accessible.
What is Olivia Dean's stance on concert ticket pricing according to Today, Explained?
Olivia Dean advocates for capping resale ticket prices to ensure fans can attend shows without paying exorbitant amounts. She successfully pushed for Ticketmaster to refund fans for any markup on her tour.
How are states addressing concert ticket resale issues on Today, Explained?
Some states, like Maine, have passed legislation to cap resale prices at a maximum of 10% above face value. This aims to make reselling less profitable and protect fans from price gouging.